Pyramidal hat-box.



No. 658,849. Patented Oct. 2, I900.

W' A. JACK & J. M. KINNE'R.

PYRAMIDAL HAT BOX.

(Application filed June 4, 1900.)

(No Model.)

1h: mums Ph'ERs co. PNOYO-LITHD.. WASHINGTON o c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. JACK AND JOHN M. KINNER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PYRAMIDAL HAT-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,849, dated October 2, 1900.

' Application filed June 4,1900. Serial No. 18,932. (No model.)

To all whom it nwty concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. JACK and JOHN M.KINNER,citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Pyramidal Hat-Boxes; and we do declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to pyramidal hatboXes, and it is an improvement on the hatbox patented to M. L. Horning July 11, 1899, and numbered 628,465. Inthe said patentthe box pattern or form is shown as made with four exactly equal and similar sides fashioned alike in every particular and of the same pattern throughoutfiso that either set of sides may serve equally well within or without, except as to the matter of fastenings at the top, and they are distinguished by the so-called inner sides having their extreme top equipped with a button on one side and a buttonhole in the other, so that they can be buttoned together and held in that way when closed for use. Otherwise and without the button connection there is no difference, nor is there anything whatever except this button connection to sustain either side or to prevent either,or both from,being pressed inward and down one over the other. This is true because their buttoned-up engagement is the only thing they have or that is relied on by the inventor to prevent their collapse under even a light pressure against either, or both, said sides. It is of course conceded that some kind of support or protection against collapse is necessary orthe hat within would be in ever-present danger of becoming crushed, but the manifest inadequateness of a button-and-hole engagement at the tips of two frail, and easily torn or broken pasteboard points, which have to be bent against each other before buttoning can occur, seems too obvious to need more than be mentioned here. The fact is that this manner of supporting the said inner sides is a total failure practically, often giving way before a hat leaves the store and never safe for protracted and repeated use. When tearing or breaking away occurs, the entire box is rendered worthless, because,

as already indicated, its sole and only precaution against collapse has been irreparably destroyed.

The form of the box as used by us is patterned in certain parts after the old or original form; but in the other parts or sides it emhodies the essential and radical diiference of a construction which makes the box independent of all outside or added connections or supports, so that We go a material step farther than the old box and provide a basis of support for the sides which is wholly new and original in our box. It is new in kind, because the stock of the box itself and not an outside and separate element is made the medium of support, and the support is from the bottom up, Where it should be, and it is new in character, because with this improvement the box is made for the first time non-collapsible and so firm that it is impossible to press its sides together without crushing it. How this occurs will appear in the description and in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the blank or form after it has been stamped or cut out by the dies and is creased or ribbed and ready for use purely as a blank. Fig. 2 is a perspective elevation of the box partly folded and showing the two inner sides or wings closed against each other.

Referring now again to the original patent, it will be noticed that between any two adja- :cent sides a right-angled recess or corner defines the angles between them and that the four sides (designated by B, O, D, and E) are identical with one another-in every feature of shape or outline. Hence when the said sides are folded the edges of said angles each and all stand up at an inclination of about fortyfive degrees to a vertical plane, and thus they are removed from all possible usefulness in the support of the sides to sustain down pressure thereon.

By our improvement the two. inner sides A and B have one form and the two outer sides 0 and D a different form, but preferably like those of the old box. They might of course be somewhat differently shaped, but the old shape serves every present purpose. Thus we start with two inner sides and two outer sides distinctly diiferent from each other.

In producing these sides we cut the stock in such way that the wings E of the inner sides or sections A and B shall when the sides are closed, as in Fig. 2, have their lower edges 2 rest down firmly their full length on the bottom of the box. The said wings are thus converted into rests or braces for the said sides and form a very staunch support, especially when the outer sides C and D are folded, and thus conline the edges2 and prevent their slipping outward. In this way the bracing efiect of the wings E is carried to every part of said sides and extends to their highest points. Each inner side or section is thus made an independent and self-supporting member instead of leaning against the point of the other side for support, as before, and with all the sides folded together a box is made which will withstand much more excessive pressure or strain than it is ordinarily subjected to in use and a great amount of rough handling and abuse.

without being materially injured.

The several sides have the usual creases 3 on the line of fold, both at the bottom and for the several wings E and F, and these lines are made in and by thedies when the form or blank itself is produced, as before.

It will also be observed as a natural and wholly original feature of this improved construction that by resting down wings E into the angle between the bottom Gand the wings O and D the said wings practically double the strength of the sides on which they come, because they set firmly into the angle forming the hinges of those sides at-a bracing inclination and have said sides resting directly against them, so that they are practically doubled. The said wings thus serve as edgebraces for their own sides and reinforcing or auxiliary braces for the corners and sides of the outer side members, Hence the firmness and rigidity of the present box and its superior excellence altogether.

What we claim is l. A blank for forming a pyramidal hatbox comprising a square bottom and four several triangular sides hinged thereto and having each a pair of triangular wings at their edges, the wings of two of said sides being constructed to rest their lower edges on the bottom of the box when the sides are folded and the wings of the outer sides at an inclination to said bottom, substantially as described.

2. A blank for a hat-box having two inner and two outer pointed sides adapted to fold into pyramidal shape, and the said inner sides provided each with wings having straight lower edges at substantially right angles to the inner edges of said wings to rest down upon the bottom of the box their full length at the base of the outer sides and within the same to form a bracing-support for all said sides, substantially as described.

3. Apyramidalhat-boxcomprisingasquare bottom and four several triangular sides hinged to said bottom and having each a pair of triangular wings along its edges, the wings of the two inner sides being constructed with extended portions adapted to rest the full width of their base on the bottom within the outer sides and serving to brace all said sides, and the two outer sides having means at their top to connect the said sides, substantially as described.

Witness our hands to the foregoing specification this 31st day of May, 1900.

WILLIAM A. JACK. JOHN M. KINNER. Witnesses:

H. T. FISHER, R. B. Mosna. 

